Lincoln is taking an interesting
strategy with its 2011 MKZ Hybrid. The vehicle, which is based on the
same platform as the more
plebeian Ford Fusion, will be priced at an aggressive $35,180
(including destination and delivery charges). What's most interesting
is that this is the exact same starting price for the standard MKZ
which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine which produces 263 hp.

Lincoln's aggressive pricing on the MKZ
Hybrid undercuts Lexus'
HS 250h by a few hundred bucks (the HS 250h is priced from
$35,525 including destination and delivery charges). The MKZ Hybrid
also has the upper hand in the fuel economy department as well -- the
MKZ hybrid is rated at 41/36 (city/highway) versus 35/34 for the HS
250h.

Lincoln talks up the Lexus HS 250h
quite a bit in the press release and points out that the MKZ Hybrid
betters its Japanese competitor due to standard features like SYNC,
leather seating surfaces, genuine wood trim, power driver/passenger
seats, heated/cooled seats, and reverse sensing system.

"Lincoln is about delivering
luxury standard," stated John Felice, general manager for Ford
and Lincoln Marketing. "Customers are very enthusiastic about
the MKZ Hybrid and we think they will be even more excited to learn
they sacrifice nothing to be able to go green in style. We're
launching a world-class hybrid that beats all competitors, and at an
introductory price that is sure to draw the interest of new customers
to Lincoln."

It remains to be seen if luxury buyers
will flock to Lincoln showrooms instead of heading down to the Lexus
dealership. Lincoln definitely has a winner when it comes to features
and fuel economy (and some may even say styling as well), but Lexus'
brand name and reputation may still sway buyers to the less efficient
HS 250h.

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quote: YOU may get 40+, but when comparing numbers, most people use EPA standards - cuz, well, they're a standard.

Love it, a complete misunderstanding of what I said. EPA standards have little to do with real life, in my experience.

quote: IF you have a Civic HX - you get 30/38, not 40+. If you don't have the HX, you get even less than that.

I have a DX and if I really wanted to I could get 43 from it.

quote: Maybe you're ready to move up from an 11 yo, 2 door car that a college kid would drive. Maybe you do a lot of city driving and would appreciate the minimum 11mpg more in the city. Or maybe that the Lincoln goes 0-60 in 7.5 seconds vs 10 seconds for the Honda Civic HX, while stacked with luxury and safety features. For some odd reason I think I'd rather drive or ride in the Lincoln.

I drive 50 miles one way to work, mostly freeway, a Lincoln that has all of the features and performance could not match what I drive now. Performance is not a big deal, I don't normally drag race people on the way to work so I could care less about 0-60.

Plus I would bet that my car gets better mileage in city than your Lincoln that you would be sprinting between lights with.

As for luxury, I put in hands free Bluetooth, DVD, Nav, backup camera, and even went through the car and added sound insulation. Enough luxury for me.